Increase in transformation of vacant office buildings in Amsterdam

The transformation of vacant office buildings in Amsterdam into residential properties, hotels and healthcare facilities gained momentum in Amsterdam during 2013.

In excess of 80,000 m2 of vacant office space in the city was repurposed this year and nearly 150,000 m2 of former commercial space is expected to be given a new lease of life in 2014. As such, the target of transforming 200,000 m2 during the current term of Mayor and College and Alderpersons looks set to be comfortably achieved. These results were drawn from a recent report published by the City of Amsterdam on the progress of transforming vacant office space.

During the current term of Mayor of College and Alderpersons, from March 2010 to March 2014, almost 350,000 m2 will have been transformed. A total of 16 hotels have already been created in vacant office spaces, as well as in excess of 2,100 residential properties. Successful projects are also being realised elsewhere in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. In the neighbouring municipality of Diemen, an existing commercial complex is being converted into a student campus to provide nearly 1,000 rooms. Transformation is currently clearly playing a significant role in the creation of accommodation in the city.

Success stories
The offices formerly occupied by GAK provide one example of a successful transformation project. Two phases of transformation will see the realisation of 651 student and starter homes in Amsterdam West. The first properties were completed early in 2013.

Another example is The Student Hotel, which offers all-inclusive accommodation to (international) students. Representing 27,000 m2 of transformation, the hotel opened its doors in August of this year. Alongside hotels and residential properties, vacant office spaces are also being converted for other purposes. The Hogere Hotelschool (Hospitality Business School) has set up shop in Amsterdam West, while Zuidoost is now home to a new ophthalmic clinic. At numerous locations in the city, former office buildings are also being used by artists.

Solving structural issues
In October 2010, Alderperson for Spatial Planning Maarten Van Poelgeest presented the Actieplan Aanpak Leegstand Kantoren (Plan for Tackling Vacant Offices). He met with the top-ten owners of vacant office buildings twice a year in a collaborative effort to find a solution to the problem affecting the city. The combined efforts resulted in structural issues being addressed, such as with regard to zoning plans and building regulations. The experience gained in Amsterdam is being shared with various Dutch ministries in order to help develop suitable legislation and regulations. An increasing amount of office owners are also opting to reduce the price of their properties, making repurposing of vacant office space a viable option.

Tackling vacancy
Approximately 18% of office buildings in Amsterdam are currently vacant and in some areas of the city, the figure approaches nearly 50%. Often solely home to commercial spaces without residential properties or other facilities such as shops or restaurants and bars, these areas are at risk of degeneration. This means nearby offices that do have tenants also come under threat. Since 2006, the City of Amsterdam has focused on a structural approach to tackling vacant office buildings. A dedicated Office Space Intermediary has been appointed to further accelerate the envisaged transformation. Vacancy regulations have also been introduced to encourage office owners to play their part in tackling the problem.

Latest news

Vermeer - famous Dutch painter from Delft

Johannes, Jan or Johan Vermeer (1632 – December 1675) was a Dutch painter who specialized in domestic interior scenes of middle-class life. Vermeer was a moderately successful provincial genre painter in his lifetime. He evidently was not wealthy, leaving his wife and children in debt at his death, perhaps because he produced relatively few paintings.

Claire Morgan The Sound of Silence - Noord Brabants Museum

Claire Morgan - The Sound of Silence: 8 Oct 2016 t/m 8 Jan 2017. This autumn, the Noordbrabants Museum will exhibit the intriguing work of a young artist from Northern Ireland, Claire Morgan. After successful exhibitions abroad, including in Britain, this will be her first solo museum exhibition in the Netherlands.

Reflex Gallery is delighted to announce a major exhibition of the work of Donald Baechler

Reflex Gallery is delighted to announce a major exhibition of the work of Donald Baechler this September 2016. This will be the first extensive exhibition in the Netherlands for the world-famous American artist.

500.000 tulips in bloom during the 2nd edition of Tulp Festival in Amsterdam

500.000 tulips in bloom during the 2nd edition of Tulp Festival in Amsterdam 60 locations , 400 varieties, walking and bike routes.
For the second year in succession, Amsterdam will be decked in the most glorious colours, throughout April and May. During the Tulp Festival 2016 visitors can marvel at more than 500,000 brightly coloured tulips, of more than 400 different varieties, at 60 locations throughout the capital.